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LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego cruised to a 92-33 victory over UC Merced Saturday night at RIMAC Arena. The Tritons held the Bobcats to 16% shooting from the floor and received 20 points, on eight-of-nine shooting, and six rebounds from MacKenzie McCullough.

UCSD improves to 5-3 overall on the year while the Bobcats fall to 1-11 after the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

The Tritons shot 48.7% percent from the floor on 37-of-76 shooting and made 10 three-pointers on the night, while the defense limited the Bobcats to a mere eight field goals allowed on 50 attempts. UCSD won the rebounding battle 60-31 and outscored UC Merced 46-8 inside the paint.

UCSD led from start to finish and jumped out to a quick 14-1 advantage to take control of the game. McCullough began the game with a throw down at the rim and followed with a three for a quick five points before James McCann (Carlsbad/La Costa Canyon HS) ended the run with a three from downtown. The Tritons built a 35-14 lead at the intermission.

The second half was more of the same for the Tritons, highlighted by an alley-oop dunk from McCann to McCullough. UCSD followed the emphatic finish with a pair of threes from McCullough and McCann before the Tritons powered out the 92-33 win.

UCSD forced 23 turnovers and turned them into 33 points. The Bobcats made just 15 of 29 free throws.

UC Merced was led by a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds from George Idehen.

The Tritons continue their six-game homestand in two weeks as they face Cal State Stanislaus on Friday, Jan. 3, and Chico State on Saturday, Jan. 4. Tipoff for both California Collegiate Athletic Association contests is slated for 7:30 p.m. at RIMAC Arena.